Closer for the lips of a corpse



June 7,1938. R. R. DIVEL 2,120,143

CLOSER FOR THE LIPS OF A CORPSE Filed July 50, 1957 Patented June 7,1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2- Claims.

This invention relates to a lip closer. An object of the invention isthe construction of a simple and efiicient device to hold the lips of acorpse in a closed position, whereby the lips are retained in a propercondition for giving an excellent expression.

Another object of the invention is the construction of a device whichcan be easily placed in the mouth of a corpse, between the teeth andthelips, to cause a proper set to the jaw and expression to the lips.

A still further object of the invention is the construction of anH-shape lip closer provided with lip-engaging means, which closer iscomparatively inexpensive to manufacture and easily placed in anexcellent operating position on the corpse.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention comprisescertain other novel constructions, combinations and arrangements ofparts as will be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in theaccompanying drawing, and more particularly pointed out in the appendedclaims.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a sectional view of the mouth of a corpse, showing the lipcloser in position therein.

Figure 2 is an enlarged plan view of the device.

Figure 3 is a view taken on line 33, Fig. 2, and looking in thedirection of the arrows.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4, Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawing by numerals, I designates the fiat H-shape lipcloser as a whole, which can be formed of any suitable material. 35 Thedevice I comprises two parallel side units 2 which are integrallyconnected by a bridge or center unit 3. The side units 2 are providedwith side notches 4; each notch 4 is substantially as wide as the widthof the center unit 3, to facilitate the transverse bending of the entiredevice, especially the side units 2, along the transverse dotted linesA. This bending takes place when the device is placed in the mouth ofthe corpse, as shown in Figure 1, whereby the device admirably fits inplace. The device is bent longitudinally along lines B, whereby thedevice fits the curvature of the teeth, as indicated in Fig. 4.

Each side unit 2 is provided near its ends with inwardly extendingprongs 5; in other words, these prongs 5 are arranged on each side unitin sets, with their points extending towards each other, so as topenetrate or hook" the lips of the corpse and hold them together in avery satis- 5 factory manner.

This simple and efficient device not only holds the lips of the corpsein a satisfactory closed position, but it holds the jaws properly,whereby a perfect and natural appearance is obtained of 10 the lips andmouth of the corpse.

By the use of this device tying or sewing of any part of the mouth orthe lips of a corpse is obviated, as well as the use of separate pieceson each body. 15

While I have described the preferred embodiment of my invention andillustrated the same in the accompanying drawing, certain minor changesor alterations may appear to one skilled in the art to which thisinvention relates during the extensive manufacture of same, and I,therefore, reserve the right to make such changes or alterations asshall fairly fall Within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A normally fiat closer for the lips of the mouth of a corpse,comprising a single piece of material, provided with elongated sideportions bridging across the mouth opening and contacting the upper andlower lips, a connecting portion normally positioned at the mouthopening and joining said side portions, and prongs near the ends only ofeach side portion adapted to engage the inner sides of the lips of amouth.

2. A normally fiat closer for the lips of the mouth of a corpse,comprising a single piece of material, provided with elongated sideportions bridging across the mouth opening and contacting the upper andlower lips, a connecting portion normally positioned at the mouthopening and joining said side portions, said side portions provided intheir outer edges with notches registering with said connecting portion,whereby the closer may be readily shaped to fit the individual mouth inwhich it is placed, and said side portions also provided withlip-attaching means.

ROY REGINALD DIVEL.

